John Kuester Finally Fired as Pistons Head Coach

After weeks of speculation John Kuester has been fired as head coach of the Detroit Pistons, just three days after Tom Gores took over as the franchise’s owner.

Gores said at his introductory press conference Thursday that he would not make a decision on Kuester’s future before meeting with him. That meeting apparently took place in the past 48 hours, with Gores making a quick decision to go in a different direction.
The Pistons’ uncertain ownership situation dragged out the Kuester decision for weeks after Detroit’s tumultuous 2010-11 season ended, despite the inevitable conclusion. Detroit’s head-coaching search will no doubt begin immediately — the league’s draft is June 23 and, if there’s no lockout, free agency starts on July 1.

Kuester’s name has already come up as a possible assistant-coach candidate with the Lakers, where Mike Brown has taken over as head coach for Phil Jackson.

Detroit finished 11th in the Eastern Conference this season with a 30-52 record. The Pistons hold the No. 8 pick in the draft.